TEAMWORK 37
Pull
together
Teamwork is an essential
part of everyday working life
and it is therefore one of the
main competencies used to
assess potential candidates,
explains Janet Cowell
A CIPD survey in 2007 found that 47 per likely to have teamwork as competency. Try to avoid the ‘I’m right and you’re
cent of employers had used assessment The definition will make it clear but ensure wrong’ standoff. Allow those involved to
centres or team events as a method to that you start the day with the right state express their opinion and try to reach a
select applicants. An assessment centre of mind: be receptive and open to change collaborative solution. Bring in the other
will test the candidates on a wide range and be interested in learning other people’s members of the team so that you do
of work-related activities in a group points of view. Not only during the exercises not get into a ‘me versus you’ situation.
environment. But, how can a candidate but in the down time as well – at lunch, Conflicts will occur throughout your
demonstrate that they can do the job when by the coffee machine – before and after working life so it is best to learn how to
they have to work with a whole bunch of events. Make the effort to get to know the deal with them effectively. If things do not
people they have never met – let alone other candidates at your assessment event go well – recognise what you could have
worked with before? as they could be your future peer group. done differently and ensure that you do.
Team events do not simply stop at the Using your skills End result
recruitment process. Team building events Being a good team member requires You may believe that the only good result
are organised by companies so that listening, sharing, co-operating and is to get the job. This can be the case but
colleagues have an opportunity to learn encouraging others. The aim is to ensure getting some constructive feedback can
more about how they function as part of that you are proactive in getting tasks done also be a good result. Be proactive and
a team. A team event will also show how by collaboration and discussion – rather accept any criticism in the spirit of aiding
much a colleague is willing to learn about than being dominant and over-bearing. your personal development. Team events
and value each other’s differences and Not all assessment events are looking for give you the opportunity to learn more
contributions. So teamwork is important to leaders – it will be clear in the information about yourself and from the feedback
get the job – and to ensure that you remain sent about the event if being a leader is you can set yourself goals. Teamwork is
effective when you do. required. Generally, it is not the case, so be important for now – and for the future.
willing to take in new ideas and collaborate
Preparing for a group assessment events to find ways to get the task completed.
Janet Cowell is a Director of Resourcing
are very much about how you react to
Matters Limited resourcingmatters.com,
people and situations so there is a limit to Handling conflict
who will be running the Mock Assessment
how much you can prepare. You can find Working with people you have never
Centres at the National Graduate
out which competencies are being used worked with before – in a pressurised
Recruitment Exhibitions, which will include
to assess the candidates and ensure that situation – can lead to misunderstanding
a group exercise. For more information
you demonstrate those behaviours on and conflict. The aim should be to
visit 1st-step.co.uk
the day. For instance, a group exercise is confront the problem – not the individual.
GradJobs Magazine | Autumn 08
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